HEINZ WITTLER

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HEINZ WITTLER

Heinz Wittler (86) left us on March 27, 2020, in Fernie, BC, after succumbing to an illness.
Heinz was a very gregarious person and very much enjoyed the company of others. He was keen to be involved, always engaging with others to find out what was new and what was going on, as well as share a laugh of course.
Heinz was born on December 16, 1933, in Uslar, Germany to Ernst and Lina (Hengst) Wittler. He pursued cabinetmaking and woodworking, with work many miles away on a train that ran uphill both ways with German precision. He always left in the morning with seconds to spare, barely jumping onto the moving train after sprinting each kilometre to catch it. He played soccer throughout school (as all Germans are obligated) and what he lacked in talent he more than made up for with pure tenacity.
Heinz completed his trade in Germany and decided to move to Canada in 1953 as the situation back home was difficult. He eventually landed in Winnipeg which was just cold enough in the winter and just hot enough in the summer. He would be able to stay fit through shoveling snow in the winter and completing renovations in the summer. The following year he sponsored his sister Rita and their parents to join him in Canada, reuniting the Wittler family once again.
The year 1955 would be an eventful one for Heinz. It was then that he met the love of his life, Irma, and knowing she was the one for him wasted no time marrying her. On top of this, they welcomed their daughter Ingrid into the world shortly after.
To add some challenge to life, Heinz founded his own woodworking business which would morph into a successful manufacturing venture that would keep him busy for over 30 years, until he retired. This business would serve to enhance the Winnipeg skyline with Heinz and his father (with help) constructing a shop in which to house the business, which is still standing today. Not only did he succeed in his venture, but he excelled in it, becoming well-known throughout North America, as well as in Asia, for his astute business expertise.
On many warm Winnipeg winter evenings, Heinz could be found playing pickup hockey with Ingrid and her cousins. This crazy endeavour was part of what Heinz, a German immigrant, did to fully embrace his new Canadian culture. He was always a big sports fan, but soccer and hockey were the focus of his interest. In Winnipeg, he was a member of the German Canadian Business Association and the German Canadian Club, but he was very much a German Canadian and embraced his new home wholeheartedly. He was also Director of the Hansa Credit Union.
One thing that Heinz will always be remembered for, is the construction of the Wittler family cottage on Caddy Lake. With Heinz as the foreman and the entire family putting in long hours, together they built a beautiful getaway just east of Winnipeg. This would become a place of love, laughter, and innumerable fond memories. They were known by all around the lake for their boisterous celebrations and general good-natured fun.
Shortly after finishing university, Ingrid, with her husband Marty, moved to Calgary in search of new challenges. It only took Heinz and Irma a few years to follow them to Calgary after hearing a grandchild was on the way. Heinz was always a dedicated family man, especially to his immediate family, but he never forgot any of his family in Winnipeg. He didn't want to miss out on his grandsons so after an extremely difficult goodbye to Winnipeg, off Heinz and Irma moved West.
He immediately became immersed in babysitting, followed by school projects, soccer, or just watching whichever games his grandsons were involved in. This evolved into Heinz becoming quite involved in coaching soccer and he rarely missed attending a game or practice. He was always ready to help with a renovation or to build something new and unexpected and really enjoyed the challenge, whether it be construction of subwoofer box, spaceship, or aligning a door. His immense expertise in his field led to amazingly creative solutions to seemingly impossible problems. He loved teaching his craft and was passionate to pass on his knowledge to those that would listen.
After owning waterfront property in Florida for years and enjoying the warm climate, Heinz spent the last 15 years wintering in Arizona. He very much enjoyed shooting the breeze and playing cards with his buddies by the pool. Late to the party however, not knowing Texas Hold'em, he didn't let the lack of familiarity with the game dampen his enthusiasm, quickly picking it up and taking a few bucks off his friends.
Being a very social person, Heinz was always ready for a game of pool or spending quality time with family or friends, two glasses of refreshments in hand (only one for himself!). He loved to travel and always found ways to facilitate that, even bringing Ingrid and her family to Germany to share the experience.
He will be deeply missed by his wife Irma, daughter Ingrid (Marty), grandsons, Geoff (Alicia) and Ted (Sarah), sister Rita (Manfred), nephews, Michael (Janet), Peter (Cathy), Andy (predeceased), and numerous other in-laws and nieces and nephews and will be missed at all times by many people.
There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date to be decided, once the current situation resolves further.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Cancer Research Society would be greatly appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2020